Nature Journaling – Page 2 – Handcrafted Books by Michele Olsen

Journal Entry: A Sense of Place

My first entry in my quickie DIY journal (see previous post) was really fun to create. I liked the larger size of the full spread – about 14″ x 9″ – it gave me much more room to develop a theme and create more interest on the page. The book was easy to hold in the crook of my arm and I could clamp my watercolor palette on top of one of the pages and walk around. I am on to something new!

UPDATE: May, 2022. My new journals have a page spread of 12″ x 9″. This allows me to use 12″ x 9″, 90-lb watercolor paper which I cut in half to create the pages that are then 6″ x 9″ .

The idea for the page content came from watching an 8 minute video by John Muir Laws titled Sense of Place. Our mission was to go outside and pick three things that caught our eye and that we could carry. We were then to create a page – including a landscapito (or I would do a skyscapito) – that created a sense of place. Would someone be able to look at the page and feel that they knew something about where the page was created. At the moment, i am in Nebraska where I walk almost every day on the same two roads. I always find something different – every time. What do you think? Does this petrified wood, fall leaves, bird feather, commentary, and metadata give you any sense of my place?

October 24, 2021/2 Comments/by Michele

Easy, Functional DIY Journal

As a long-time book artist I have made many of my own elaborate (but always functional) journals. I taught a class on making a leather-bound nature journal sewn with long-stitch, with a beaded spine and a braided linen thread closure. Students were afraid to write in them for fear of “messing them up”!

Pros: Opens flat (almost), 6″ x 6″ size is better than the small Moleskins I’ve been using.
Cons: Pages are not removable. Cover is not reusable. \

I wanted something easier to make and easier to use. I was intrigued by the journal made by nature journalist Roseann Hanson. She uses 90 pound, 6″ x 9″ watercolor paper by Bee Paper, punched with a three-hole punch. The pages were then inserted inside of a custom leather cover and sewn with a pamphlet stitch. The attraction of this easy style of book is that the pages can be removed and placed in 3-hole binders and the leather cover can be used to create another book. If a leather shoestring (or any other stretchy cord) is used for sewing, the book will open flat (very important).

Pros: Larger size (6″ x 9″) closed, pages truly open flat. Pages are removable and can be shuffled in any order. Good size for laying across my arm while drawing.

Cons: There are three holes in your papers. I find I hardly notice them and creating full spreads works just fine.

I do draw more when I use this journal and love the idea that I can move the pages around and use the same cover with each new addition of paper. I have also switched to Swathmore 90-lb. watercolor paper because it easier to find and my pens love it too.

Want to make one of your own? I created the book above using materials I had on hand, which wasn’t much. Here’s a short outline of how this structure was made:

1) Covers: I had a scrap of leather I cut to size with a rotary cutter. Button closure.

2) Paper: I used Strathmore 90-lb watercolor paper cut to size and a 3-hole punch adapted to make holes that work on a 6″ x 9″ page.

3) Sewing material: I used oval elastic – no needle necessary.

4) Pamphlet Stitch: Making a 3-hole pamphlet stitch from Instructables

I am enjoying the larger size of book!! I am able to clip my small watercolor palette to one side of the book which makes it very portable. It also fits nicely in the crook of my arm.

October 21, 2021/9 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling, Past Workshops

Keeping a Nature Journal: Travels in Nebraska

Join me in my nature journaling class on October 28, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Pacific Time! I teach classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) through HSU. I spend the Falls in Nebraska and I will be featuring plants, animals, and landscapes that are unique to the area around our cabin in Central Nebraska. I think you will be surprised by what you’ll see – it’s not flat. I will be presenting tools and resources that are useful for working in the field (literally), we’ll be creating poetry from our observations, drawing insects using the Dot Method, and learning about types of clouds as we create “Skyscapitos”.

Register for class

October 19, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling

Trinity River, Camp Kimtu Beach

When starting a journal entry on-site I don’t always finish it until months later when I am in another location. This entry was started on the Kimtu Beach in Northern California, July 16, 2021 and included everything except the map and drawing of the shelter. I finished the entry in Nebraska, September 16. Fortunately I ALWAYS record metadata on site – an invaluable tool for recalling information about that day. In this case, it brought back the windy, warm conditions and I realized that I had to include and image of our sun shelter “Big Agnes”. She is “windproof” and after the addition of rocks on her guy wires she did remain in place instead of flying off into the Trinity River.

I am trying to get away from tightly organized layouts by adding more white space. Instead of drawing a rectangle to enclose a painting I used narrow double-sided tape to prevent the watercolor from straying. I got this great idea from nature journal instructor, Roseanne Hanson. I also like to include maps; in this case I needed to record the torturous path of Highway 299 (aka Vomit Valley)! The narrative includes what I saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and felt – another way to relate and relive my experience that day with my beloved family.

September 16, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling, Watercolor Sketching

Switching Out Swatch Cards

I love watercolors. I don’t even have to paint anything recognizable – I just love the way they feel when I add water and put the pigments on the page. I like swishing them around, dropping bits onto wet paper and watching them spread and granulate – if they are so inclined. Mixing pigments on paper is most exciting when the colors mix in a way that I don’t expect. One of the most helpful tools for my journaling are the swatch cards I create for each of my paints. I got the idea from Susan Chiang who guided me through the critical questions regarding pigments: are they transparent, do they stain, are they granulating, and how lightfast are they? Making Swatch Cards will help you become a better watercolor painter and they are just fun to make!The big card on the bottom is kept in my travel kit for reference and are my current colors. The individual cards record the range of colors as more water is added, the level of staining (some colors are easier to lift than others), and transparency (can I still see the black line when it is covered with pigment?). On the back of the cards I add information from the Daniel Smith website regarding the advantages of each color.

I have come a long way from thinking that purple was a primary color.

May 12, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling, Watercolor Sketching

Lupine Extravaganza in the Bald Hills

The Bald Hills east of Orick produce some really spectacular scenery, especially during the Spring when the lupine breaks out all over the coastal prairies. Mother’s Day was a very special day to be there with so many others who come to appreciate the natural beauty of this place. There were people in chairs enjoying the overlook while others were taking photos of loved ones tucked into the lupine. There were many photographers and walkers spread throughout the display. What a pleasure to sit down with my service dog, Tracy, and just paint in my nature journal.Tracy was just so patient and just seemed to enjoy the vibe of the place. My husband was off with his camera capturing the landscape. I often finish the journal pages in my studio as I did this morning. I always research the plants I’ve noticed using iNaturalist. This is the result:The oak trees are always eye-catching with their dark trunks and fractal branches. The two other plants I painted are real locals – ranging from Vancouver Island to the Klamath Mountains. Identifying the Cowbag Clover brought a smile to my face. I think you can see why.

May 11, 2021/2 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling

Death Valley R & R

After a year of isolation and with immunizations in hand (arm) we traveled with six friends to Death Valley for some much needed R & R. The first thing I always pack are my art supplies: watercolors, brushes, pens, Moleskin journal, portable microscope, and binoculars. I was going to do my first nature journaling while hiking! Our first stop was the Alabama Hills – a geological treasure nestled under the Sierra Nevadas and Mt. Whitney. I spent two days exploring these boulders, hiking, and drawing. This is one of my favorite places in California. The little town of Lone Pine has a great visitor’s center where I purchased two great books: a memoir by Kenda Atleework about her life in Bishop called Miracle Country; and an art book by Valerie and Michael Cohen filled with essays, and pen and ink drawings of trees in the high country titled Tree Lines . Tip: Park visitor centers usually have a terrific selection of books that highlight the history and natural history of the local area.

Desert Mallow grew everywhere around the camp – I loved the sight of the bright orange flowers against the big tan boulders. Because I had phone coverage I was able to add some meta data and identify the plant using iNaturalist.

We headed into Death Valley on Sunday, the last day of Spring Break, and managed to find a good campsite off the grid. There were not many wildflowers due to the drought but the ones we saw got a lot of attention. Our hikes always included canyons because not only are they beautiful but they provide some shade from the sun. We explored Wildrose, Mosaic, Marble, Golden, and Hole in the Wall canyons. It was a first for me to draw during these expeditions and I loved it. Landscapitos, maps, and interesting plant details are easy to do when on the move.

Creosote bush was abundant and really interesting – it’s host to an assortment of insects that coexist with this scratchy, tough bush. I was curious about the brown sphere on some of the bushes – turns out to be one of the insects. I wonder which one? No phone reception here so the metadata had to be estimated – easy enough in this place.

A photographer in the group set up a makeshift studio and created portraits of rocks. I painted some of his rocks – a celebration of the mundane.I was surprised to see California dodder. We have golden thread at the Arcata Marsh. I didn’t realize that it was parasitic. It doesn’t need to have chlorophyll because it gets what it needs from the “host”. The spider was found in one of the tents but not after biting the occupant. I think it’s a variety of wolf spider which has a painful bite. The desert trumpet could go unnoticed. It’s not very colorful or dense with leaves and branches but it makes up for it with the number of ways was used by local tribes. The little yellow flowers are a gift for anyone who pays attention to this spindly plant.

Titus Canyon is a 24 mile drive in the NW section of the park. The vistas were spectacular, the ghost town very interesting, and the petroglyphs were a highlight. The narrow exit from the canyon is one reason one mustn’t drive trailers through the canyon.

We enjoyed the sunset in 20 Mule Team Canyon.

Stars at night with the waxing moon was our evening entertainment. What an exceptional trip and my journaling made all the difference.

GOODNIGHT MOON

April 28, 2021/2 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling

Miracles at the Marsh

Yesterday was quite the day – sunny and NO wind. My friend, Nancy, and I always walk on Fridays at the Arcata Marsh and everyone was out enjoying the “balmy” weather. There was even a “typical” Arcata visitor doing topless weight lifting in the middle of the trail. Willows are just leafing out and my favorite flowering currant is hanging it’s pink flower clusters reminding me of lanterns I saw in Vietnam. Colorful sunburst lichen was spotted on an unassuming bush. I haven’t spotted the miner’s lettuce yet but I know it’s coming. So today’s journal entry is a story of joy and jubilation for just being alive in this incredible ecological system.

I NEED A MIRACLE was on a sign held by someone at an intersection. Grateful Dead song. Wondering if their followers are on the move again?

Cross section (called a cutaway) of one of the channels in the marsh. My pages are really small (5.5″ x 3.5″) in a Moleskin with watercolor pages, color is watercolor, pen is Sharpie thin.

March 27, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele

Miscellaneous, Nature Journaling

Journal Layouts

I made my first art journal during a class taught by artist Andie Thrams . This square, leather-bound journal is still my favorite even though I usually use Moleskin journals with watercolor paper. Outside on the beautiful grounds of Pacific University Andie guided my first efforts with journaling in nature. My big takeaway from the class was the way Andie did her page layouts. This post will take you through some of the steps so that you can create your own templates.

While it is not necessary to use a page layout I fing that the process of marking the regions really relaxes me and prepares me for sketching; I don’t have to face a “blank” page because I have areas where I can start to write and draw. The template itself is fixed but there are many options for joining spaces and creating a different look for each page. Going through a finished journal there is a sense of balance and uniformity. The following pages are from my first journal and therefore not all “nature” pages. See how the pages have some geometric commonalities. I like that. The same template was used in all cases, with just different rectangular areas joined together. Another aspect I like is that the regions are separated by white space – another thing I prefer in my journals. You can outline the regions in pencil or ink or you don’t have to outline them at all.

Below you will see my template for this journal.

I create a template for each size journal I use. I will use an 8-1/4″ x 5″-1/4″ Moleskin for the demo.

Start by placing a piece of stiff paper behind a page in your journal. I use discarded manila file folders. Make sure the paper is inserted right up to the spine.
Trace around the page and onto the template. Cut the template out.
Make a 1/4″ border around the template around the template. Using a translucent ruler really helps and you can adjust the width of the border to suit your journal size.
Divide the space as you wish. My page is in landscape mode so I chose to create 2 rows and 3 columns. The lines drawn in white will only be used to create a guide for the sides of the rectangles in Step #5.
Draw lines on each side of the white interior lines. I used the translucent ruler to create lines 1/8″ on each side.
Using an awl or a push pin mark the intersection of all of the lines – except the white lines. I put a piece of foam board under the template to make sure the awl went through completely.
Place the template on your page and mark each hole with a sharp pencil (look closely at the photo below – the marks are there!) I will often mark the pages before going into the field. In the field you will adjust your rectangles as you see fit – joining rectangles in whatever way works for you. You can create your page and erase the pencil marks later. *Note: You do not have to outline each rectangle in the template – just the ones you use. You can outline with a pencil or pen or don’t outline at all just using the dots to guide your work. You also do not need to keep you drawing completely inside of the rectangle – it’s fun to have part of the drawing outside with the sides of the rectangle skipping over that part and rejoining itself after.

Below you will find my family of templates! These all go inside Moleskin Journals of various sizes. The templates can be transferred to new journals so a bit of work at the start just keeps on giving.

As a mathematician by training I started to count the permutations available to me – oh bother! There are a lot.

March 17, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele

Nature Journaling

Support Boards for Watercolor

Everyone finds different ways to watercolor journal outdoors. I like all my supplies close at hand and I don’t want to root around in a bag after I start. At a campsite I use a camp chair with a pockets and a pop-up tray. Everything I need is close at hand. When hiking I will take a very small tripod camp stool that I carry on my shoulder. I also journal standing up. In these last two scenarios I attach all of my supplies to a support board which has the added benefit of letting me move around. I am able to hold everything in my left hand leaving my right hand free to draw or pet my dog, Tracy. It takes a minute to set up – that’s it.

First let’s look at a simple solution used by artist Amy Stewart (former Eureka resident, author, and artist). She carries all of her supplies in a shoulder/cross-body bag. She clips her watercolor palette to the sketchbook. She uses the journal itself for the support board. If this suits your purpose then read no more!

The board I use is adapted from Urban Sketcher Liz Steel. She carries a lot of supplies in her cross-body bag. I don’t carry as many things but what I do use I attach to the board – which after use folds up and goes into my cross-body bag. My journal is a Moleskin watercolor journal, 3.5″ x 5.5″ (opened it is 11″ wide). I made another larger support board for my Moleskin 8″ x 5″ journal. You can make the boards from coated foam board, Coroplast, book board, or a repurposed game board. You just need something that doesn’t bend and is lightweight. I would not recommend cardboard as it can bend and it too thock to clip things to. NOTE: You do not have to create a board that folds – you can just cut a board that would be the finished size of our open foldable board. *Foldable boards are easier to carry because they are smaller.

1. DETERMINE SIZE NEEDED

* Open your journal. Lay it along the board you intend to cut. The bottom of the journal should rest on the bottom of the board.

* The Width should cover the spine as well as half of the way (or more) to each fore edge of the open journal. Make a note of the Width.

* The Height of each board should be higher than the height of the journal (mine is about 1/2″ but it could be longer depending on how much “stuff” you want to clip on the board) plus an additional 1/2″ for account for overlap. Make a note of the Length.

* Cut two boards using your Width and Length.

2. SETUP BOARDS

* My boards were white which can create glare outside so I painted one side of mine with black acrylic paint. In the photo below I have painted one board and am about to paint the other.

* The bottom board will fit UNDER the top board. Set up the boards so that they overlap 1/2″.

3. TAPE HINGE

* You can use packing tape or duct tape to tape the hinge. You will tape the front and then the back.

* Test the hinge by opening and closing. It should close flat and open flat.

3. TAPE THE BACK

* Close the two boards. The backs of mine are white. You can see the black 1/2″ overlap from the bottom board. When closed the bottoms don’t align.

* Tape the hinge. Don’t worry if it’s a bit wobbly as the clips will hold it in place when open.

4. ADD ATTACHMENTS & OPENINGS

* I use self-stick heavy duty Velcro from the hardware store. I have black Velcro on the bottom of my one oz. Nalgene water bottle* but felt that the bottle stuck up too high on the board so I cut a hole. I taped around the water bottle so that it wouldn’t fall through the hole. I have learned to use very little water using the “Dip and Flip” method; I clean paint off on a rag before I “DIP” it into the water and I do not swish the brush around in the water but lift it out and “FLIP” into a rag. You might prefer a larger water container.

5. FINAL SETUP!

6. OUTSIDE & READY TO JOURNAL

You might try this with any old board to see if you like it before making the folding board. I love mine. Let me know how this works for you!

* The Nalgene bottles will not leak. I also use them to carry ink for my fountain pens. Adventure’s Edge carries them.

February 26, 2021/0 Comments/by Michele